I refer to a poll published on 16th May which claims that 81 per cent of Malaysians want Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to quit politics. This poll result is completely contradicted by the massive ground support Anwar Ibrahim has been receiving throughout the country since he announced that he would not accept the fraudulent GE results and would fight on to take Putrajaya. This support can clearly be seen in the massive crowds of hundreds of thousands who have come out to greet Anwar at the ongoing rallies across the nation. On social media, in the streets and at public rallies, the majority of the people are united in wanting Anwar to carry on until the job is done.

Despite massive gerrymandering, election fraud and unfair election practices, Anwar’s Pakatan Rakyat obtained 52% of the popular vote as opposed to BN’s 47%. This means that the majority of Malaysians voted for Pakatan Rakyat to form the federal government, and for Anwar to be Prime Minister. Anwar is thus duty-bound to carry on as leader of Pakatan Rakyat until victory is achieved and the people’s will is given effect. Indeed, it would have been a great fault if Anwar had retired from politics at this crucial moment in the history of our nation. It would have been a different matter if the BN had convincingly and fairly won the general election; in those circumstances, Anwar would certainly have carried out his intention to retire from politics.

Irrespective of what the future brings, Anwar has secured a gigantic place in our history and in the hearts of most Malaysians; his long political struggle has resulted in what is effectively a two-party system in our country, and brought about the maturing of Malaysian democracy. Much remains to be done. The BN is beyond help, and beyond reform; for the good of the country they must removed from power. The people know this, and that is why they continue to support Anwar’s epic struggle for democracy and justice in Malaysia.

Over 30,000 people crowded an open space near the Puteri Wangsa PKR branch near Ulu Tiram last night for Pakatan Rakyat’s fifth Black 505 rally held in Johor Bahru.

After mega rallies in Petaling Jaya, Penang, Ipoh and Kuantan, the rally, which was subjected to a late venue change in response to police objection, drew in a mostly young crowd who made clear their displeasure at the 13th general election result.

The crowd, undeterred by the drizzle, comprised Johoreans from all races who seemed eager to see a change in the federal government.

Organisers said that some 100 police personnel had been on standby throughout the night, but did not interfere in the four-hour rally.

Electoral reform

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, who put in an appearance at about 10pm just before the conclusion of the rally, said that he was not stepping down or retiring because he had the majority support from the rakyat.

“Where is a country in this world where a leader gets 47 percent of the popular vote and rules the country?

"I am not stepping down because I got 51 percent of the popular vote and was denied a win because of fraud,” he said to the enthusiastic crowd.

Organisers had later put the crowd estimate at about 60,000 people.

Johor DAP youth leader and Mengkibol assemblyperson Tan Hong Pin, meanwhile, urged the crowd to chew over what role they can play in the process of electoral reform.

“I urged the supporters to not give up as the mission ahead of us is much bigger,” he said when contacted by Malaysiakini yesterday.

Some cars of rally participants were reportedly vandalised. Newly-minted Kulai parliamentarian Teo Nie Ching said in a Facebookposting:

“I was back to home safely from the 505 blackout rally. But cars of some attendees were sprayed with acid, one of them is my DAP member in Kulai who parked his car 1km away from the venue.”

Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim called on his countrymen to reject the results of the recently-concluded 13th general election, urging them to defend their rights and “save Malaysia” from a bleak future where corruption and political tyranny would dominate.

His call comes as pressure mounts from Prime Minister Najib Razak’s government to accept the outcome of the May 5 polls, which has been marred by allegations of vote-rigging, phantom voters and even the use of illegal foreign workers to slip into the polling booths and vote for Najib’s Umno-BN coalition in return for which they would be given permanent residency.

The 64-year-old Anwar is disputing Najib’s claim of a 133-seats victory in Malaysia’s 222-seats Parliament. His Pakatan Rakyat coalition, which won the popular vote, sweeping 52% of all ballots cast, wants a re-election in 27 seats where they say they have evidence of highly irregular procedures. Anwar has refused to concede defeat, and has kicked off a nationwide tour to take his case to the people.

A final clear message

“We had a Pakatan Rakyat leadership council meeting with PAS and DAP just now. What is the meaning of being a leader if we cannot realize the aspirations and rights of the people and then by God, we will defend them. On Friday, we will gather in Negri Sembilan, on Sunday, we will fly to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah. Without exception and everywhere we see the people rising up. Rise up even more now than before the GE,” Anwar told a 60,000-stong crowd in Ulu Tiram, Johor on Wednesday night.

“To you all, especially the young Malaysians, this is about your future. The Malay youth, the Chinese youths and the Indian youths. Your future, safety, your family and even the government is far safer with Pakatan that with the ‘robbers’ in Umno.The Umno-BN spin all about Anwar. I am telling you I am humbled by your support but this is not about Umno or Anwar. This is about your future.

“A final clear message, we are not talking about the next election we are talking about this election and we won this election. Najib, Muhyiddin, Election Commission listen, we are not asking you to rectify the 14th GE but we want you to review the 13th GE, which we won.

“And we have compiled evidence and facts, compelling facts [such as] pictures of a Bangladeshi caught voting – where are u from? Dhaka; when did you start working – 2 years; where do you work – Selangor; why are you here – to vote; who asked you to come – boss; who did you vote for – Umno.”

“We must continue with our efforts. Each one of you – go home Twitter, Facebook, blog, whatever the means – send out the message to everyone and give the real facts. We will fight with facts and not slander.

“Never in the history of mankind can dictators even with their guns ever fight against a people’s uprising to defend their rights. My friends, arise and defend your rights and this country that we love. Defend your rights, please. Don’t entertain not even for a minute to give BN 5 more years. NO! Save Johor, Save Malaysia!”

People on the Pakatan’s side

It is clear Anwar and Pakatan have managed to mobilize the people. They have held 5 major rallies so far, drawing astonishing ‘sell-out’ crowds.

Even critics and political rivals have to concede the response has been phenomenal.

The Pakatan leaders have somehow managed to get under the people’s skin and Najib’s advisers must be trying hard to figure out why are the people especially those in their 20s and 30s coming out to attend the rallies – even in the rain as was the case in tonight’s rally in Ulu Tiram, Johor.

“They do not like the government ruling the country now. They are not happy with the voting,” a Chinese man in his 30s told Malaysia Chronicle on Tuesday night in Kuantan, where even a last-minute change in venue could not deter the residents there from coming out to support the rally.

Unmoved by new Cabinet

Earlier today, Najib unveiled a new Cabinet which he claimed was “transformational”. However, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has described the new lineup as being “completely unimpressive at all”, while Anwar has mocked his arch rival by expressing surprise that the PM had not included a “Bangladeshi”.

“Najib’s lacks legitimacy… The Cabinet that he announced today – what do you think? Are you impressed?” asked Kit Siang, drawing loud ‘Nos’ from the crowd.

“This is the most unimpressive Cabinet in the history of Malaysia,” Kit Siang agreed.

Malaysia Chronicle spoke to several young people at the Ulu Tiram, Johor rally, and they didn’t seem very impressed either. They also wanted Anwar to keep the pressure on Najib to call for re-elections.

“The current government has done a lot of strange things and this has made a lot of us very unhappy. I think it is important that Anwar continues with this sort of campaign. It raises people’s consciousness, gives us hope and feedback. And we also give our feedback,” a young Chinese man in his early 20s told Malaysia Chronicle.

“We need a change. We don’t want the BN anymore,” said a young Indian man in his twenties.